Lakers win, wait

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LOS ANGELES Big picture, Lakers point guard Steve Nash endorsing Phil Jackson's potential return with the triangle offense as “a great opportunity to try something new” is more important than any November victory.

Dwight Howard, whose voice is the most important from the locker room for the Lakers to mind, reiterated his support for Jackson, saying: “It'd be great for all of us.”

The Lakers continue to hope for a reunion with Jackson, who is giving the idea of restarting his career some time to marinate, as he likes to do with major decisions.

While waiting for the big other shoe to drop, very possibly by today, the Lakers improved to 2-0 since firing Mike Brown by handling the Sacramento Kings, 103-90, on Sunday night at Staples Center.

Kobe Bryant said he has trust in Lakers management to get the next coach in place soon. He said he has been consulted on the matter enough to convey “how I feel about Phil.”

Jackson would bring his own coaching staff and an offense with more structure than what interim coach Bernie Bickerstaff describes as his approach now: “Play on your instincts.”

As Pau Gasol said, the Lakers were “off and on” Sunday night, but the instincts, size and athleticism of Dwight Howard (23 points, 18 rebounds, three blocks) were evident against a young Sacramento team without suspended center DeMarcus Cousins.

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